Chapter 14 - THE GIRL WHO STOOD BEFORE THE MEN WHO RUINED HER LIFEThree weeks later, Amanda walked into Barrister Adebayo's office wearing a simple cream-colored maternity dress.
She held her head high.
But inside, she was trembling.
This was the first time she had returned to Lagos since disappearing.
She hadn't come to see James.
She hadn't come to beg Lucia for forgiveness.
She had come because her lawyer needed her to review documents, confirm important details, and sign papers connected to her father's estate.
Amanda wanted to reclaim control over her life.
Dr. Okafor had reviewed her health and advised her to avoid unnecessary stress.
Sister Grace accompanied her.
So did Ngozika.
When Amanda stepped out of the car, her mother began crying.
"My daughter."
Amanda embraced her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Ngozika held her carefully, mindful of her pregnant belly.
"You've grown so thin."
Amanda smiled gently.
"I'm getting stronger."
Ngozika touched her face.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too, Mama."
Their reunion wasn't magical.
The pain of rejection hadn't disappeared.
But it was a beginning.
Inside the office, Barrister Adebayo greeted them warmly.
Rita was already waiting.
When she saw Amanda, she rushed forward.
"Amanda!"
They embraced.
Rita stepped back and looked at her stomach.
"Oh my goodness. Look at you!"
Amanda laughed.
"Yes, I'm definitely pregnant."
Rita began crying.
"I was so worried."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. I'm just happy you're alive."
They sat together while the lawyer explained the legal process.
Independent examiners had authenticated key parts of Emmanuel's original agreement.
The old transfer document was now under serious scrutiny.
Bank records also supported concerns about money that had been diverted from funds intended for Amanda's education and care.
Barrister Adebayo explained that the civil ownership case would take time.
"It may require detailed accounting, independent valuation, and possibly litigation," she said.
Amanda nodded.
"I understand."
"Are you certain you want to proceed?"
Amanda looked at her mother.
Then at Rita.
Finally, she looked at Sister Grace.
"Yes."
The lawyer leaned forward.
"May I ask why?"
Amanda took a breath.
"Because my father worked for what belonged to him. My mother suffered because people told her there was nothing left. And I don't want my child growing up believing powerful people can take everything from someone simply because that person is poor."
Barrister Adebayo smiled.
"Then we'll proceed carefully."
After the meeting, Amanda asked to speak privately with Rita.
They sat in a small conference room.
For a while, they talked about Maryjane and baby Ada.
Amanda was shocked by everything that had happened.
"Your father really walked away from the hospital?"
Rita nodded.
"Yes."
Amanda looked sad.
"That poor baby."
"I know."
"How is Maryjane?"
"She's learning what it means to stand on her own."
Amanda nodded.
"That's not easy."
Rita studied her friend.
"Neither is what you're doing."
Amanda smiled faintly.
"Sometimes I'm terrified."
"Of what?"
"Everything. Becoming a mother. Going back to school. Seeing Lucia again. Wondering whether James will resent me for leaving."
Rita took her hand.
"Amanda, you had every right to protect yourself."
Amanda looked down.
"I still love him."
Rita remained quiet.
Amanda continued.
"That's what makes it difficult. If I hated him, everything would be simpler."
"Love doesn't mean you have to return."
Amanda nodded.
"I know."
There was a gentle knock.
Barrister Adebayo entered.
"Amanda, James Andrews is here."
Amanda immediately stiffened.
Rita looked at the lawyer.
"Why?"
"He was asked to provide a formal statement concerning the transfers. He knows Amanda is in the building, but he has not asked to see her without permission."
Amanda's heart began pounding.
She hadn't seen James in almost three months.
She had imagined this moment countless times.
Sometimes she imagined running into his arms.
Other times she imagined screaming at him.
Now she simply felt frightened.
Rita squeezed her hand.
"You don't have to see him."
Amanda closed her eyes.
Then she whispered, "I want to."
Barrister Adebayo nodded.
"I'll arrange a private meeting with someone nearby."
Ten minutes later, James entered the conference room.
He stopped immediately.
Amanda stood beside the table.
For a long moment, they stared at each other.
James looked thinner.
Amanda's stomach was visibly round.
The sight of her nearly broke him.
"Amanda."
His voice trembled.
She swallowed.
"Hello, James."
He took one step forward, then stopped.
"Can I...?"
Amanda understood.
She shook her head gently.
"Not yet."
James nodded immediately.
"Okay."
He looked at her stomach.
Tears filled his eyes.
"How is the baby?"
Amanda rested a hand over her belly.
"Doing well."
"Thank God."
Silence filled the room.
Then James spoke.
"I'm sorry."
Amanda looked at him.
He continued.
"I don't expect you to forgive me. I don't expect you to come home. But I need you to know that I finally understand why you left."
Amanda's eyes filled with tears.
"Do you?"
James nodded.
"I thought loving you was enough. But I kept letting you face my mother's cruelty while I promised things would change."
Amanda looked down.
"I waited for you."
"I know."
"I kept believing you would choose us."
James began crying.
"I was a coward."
Amanda wiped her eyes.
"You weren't cruel to me like your mother. But you watched me suffer and kept asking me to be patient."
"I know."
She took a shaky breath.
"I don't want our child growing up in a home where love means enduring humiliation."
"Neither do I."
Amanda looked at him.
"Then what do you want, James?"
He swallowed.
"I want to become a father our child can trust. And if you ever allow it, I want to rebuild your trust too."
Amanda said nothing.
James continued.
"I've moved out of the mansion. I'm living in a small apartment near my office. I've started counseling, and I'm working with my father to establish clear boundaries with Mom."
Amanda looked surprised.
"Counseling?"
He nodded.
"I needed someone to help me understand why I kept avoiding conflict even when the people I loved were being hurt."
Amanda's expression softened.
For the first time, James wasn't promising to change someday.
He was describing steps he had already taken.
Still, Amanda knew that trust couldn't be repaired in one conversation.
"I need time."
James nodded.
"Take all the time you need."
"And I need to make decisions about the baby without being pressured."
"I understand."
Amanda wiped her tears.
"After the birth, we can discuss how you'll be involved."
James smiled sadly.
"Thank you."
Before leaving, he placed a small envelope on the table.
"These are copies of documents I gave the lawyer. You don't have to look at them now."
Amanda nodded.
James moved toward the door.
Then he turned back.
"Amanda?"
"Yes?"
"I never stopped loving you."
Amanda's eyes filled with tears again.
"I know, James."
He waited.
She took a breath.
"But this time, love has to be more than words."
James nodded and left.
That evening, Amanda returned safely to Abeokuta.
She felt emotionally exhausted but strangely peaceful.
For the first time, she had faced James without abandoning herself.
She had listened.
She had spoken.
And she had made her own choice.
But shortly after midnight, Barrister Adebayo received an urgent call.
It was from Collins.
His voice was trembling.
"Barrister, I need protection."
"What happened?"
"I have evidence against Chief Benedict and Lucia Andrews."
The lawyer sat upright.
"Then bring it to the authorities."
"I tried."
"What's stopping you?"
Collins took a shaky breath.
"Someone knows I kept the recordings."
There was a loud sound in the background.
Then Collins whispered one final sentence.
May you like
"They're outside my door."
The call went dead.
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